Serving in absence is so laudable

Like keeping faith in what’s invisible,

For those who praise the king while in his presence

Fall short still of those humble in his absence:

The governor at the empire’s furthest end,

Far from the capital, will still not bend;

He guards his garrison from enemies

And won’t sell out for treasures vast as seas—

Out on the furthest frontier, far away,

He’s loyal like those with the king today;

He’s better in the king’s own eyes than those

Who sacrifice themselves just when he knows:

Fulfilling one small duty thus in absence

Is better than a thousand in his presence:

Faith and obedience, though now praiseworthy,

Become void after death when truth you’ll see.